MY DEAR SIR,--After leaving your hospitable mansion last
night, and while I was hastening to the station to take the
night train for New York, I was accosted by two watchmen who
arrested me, as they say, for burglary, and have detained me
at the police station till now. In order that I may keep my
appointment in New York, I have waived a preliminary
examination before the magistrate, and desire you will
become my bail, that I may be immediately released to the
important duties devolving upon me elsewhere. Before many
days the occasion of my haste will be ascertained, and that
it had no reference to the watchmen; and the prosecution
will be voluntarily _nol prosed_.
Your friend and servant,
MALCOLM.
Mr. Burchard dropped his cup, and without communicating with his wife,
hastened to the assistance of his relative, gave the required bail,
and released his friend to proceed on his journey, all the while
delighted with the thought that Winfield Burchard would sooner or
later be informed that his letter of introduction was of some real
value to his nephew.
Before his departure, Malcolm handed to Mr. Burchard a draft for one
thousand dollars, not to secure him as his bail, as he said, but as a
retainer for his defence should such a necessity ever arise, and Mr.
Malcolm added with a forced smile, "It is most singular that I, who
doubted the propriety, should so soon claim the benefit of your
declaration of your duty made last evening, to which I have so
suddenly become a convert, but I most devoutly trust that I may rely
upon your assistance at a time of so great humiliation and
perplexity."
To which Mr. Burchard replied that he should most gladly, to the
utmost of his ability, labor incessantly for his guest and relative,
but must insist that he should be left to do so of his own free will,
without reference to any pecuniary compensation, and out of the high
regard in which he held his friend and benefactor Winfield Burchard.
To which Malcolm responded, "It would be an accommodation to me if you
would take charge of the draft and collect the same and pass it to my
credit, for I prefer not to carry about my person so large an amount
of money."
The result was that Mr. Burchard retained the draft. He then proceeded
to the offices of several daily newspapers and suppressed the report
of the arrest, "for," said he to the editors, "by allowing it to
appear you will greatly injure the reputation of one of the most
pious and accomplished clergymen in the English Church, and I am fully
aware of the reason of his haste when overtaken by the watchmen, for
he had left my house but a few minutes before and was hastening to the
train when the real rogues ran past him."
There was one scurrilous little journal among the newspapers at whose
office Mr. Burchard neglected to call. In their next issue the
following appeared:
"_Another Robbery._ About two o'clock last night the dwelling
of W---- H. B---- on B---- Street was burglariously entered,
and a considerable amount of silver plate, jewelry, and other
valuables taken and carried away. The loss is estimated at
two thousand five hundred dollars. The daughter of Mrs. B----
heard the noise of the robbers as they left the house and
gave the alarm. Two watchmen, who were in the immediate
vicinity, gave chase, and one of the robbers, who gave his
name as George Lathrop, not so swift of foot as the others,
was overtaken and carried to the police station, where he
waived an examination, gave the required bail of twelve
thousand dollars, and is now at large. There were two other
participators in the crime who outran the watchmen. Lathrop
was observed to throw away something in his flight. A
subsequent search discovered it to be a finely wrought mat of
curious construction, the handiwork of Miss B----, which
sufficiently identifies this one of the thieves with the
transaction. The other two were subsequently arrested and
held to bail in like amounts, but no part of the booty has
yet been recovered. From the promptness with which bail was
given, and the standing of the sureties, it would seem that
these burglars are not only men of property, but are
protected by men in high social position."
On reading the foregoing Mr. Burchard's indignation knew no bounds. He
blamed himself for not having recollected the existence of that
scurrilous journal, which now seemed more mean and contemptible than
ever. Those persons who understood how great a control Mr. Burchard
had over his passions could nevertheless see that an earthquake was
pent up in his bosom. He was almost beside himself with rage. When his
indignation had somewhat subsided his pride and high sense of honor
became equally disturbed. He feared that his guests of the previous
evening might hear of the matter, and identify Malcolm with George
Lathrop. Vexed almost beyond endurance, dejected and tormented almost
beyond the rallying-point, he went to his house bewildered, and threw
himself upon a lounge, and overcome by exhaustion fell asleep. When he
awoke it was evening. He rose from his couch, seated himself before a
bright wood fire, and looked intently into the coals. Snow was falling
softly upon the pavements till the tramp of passing travellers became
muffled and hushed. Maguire came into the library, and entered into
conversation with Mr. Burchard concerning the entertainment of the
previous evening, and finding that it was considered by him eminently
successful, begged Mr. Burchard to give him a certificate which would
secure him a similar place should anything ever occur by reason of
which he should relinquish his present position. Whereupon Mr.
Burchard turned to his writing-table and wrote as follows:
December, 1855.
This is to certify that M. Maguire has resided in my family
for eight years last past, and during all that period has
conducted himself with the most perfect propriety, and has
shown consummate skill as a kitchener, and in all matters
pertaining to the order and etiquette of a feast has no
superior, and I do cordially recommend him, in case he shall
ever leave my employment, as an honest, upright, and
faithful man, and worthy of my regard.